Friday, June 27, 2008

Seaside is a small coastal town in Oregon. It is a beautiful, small, peaceful town. When we go there, I feel peaceful, and content. Seaside has a boardwalk, with many interesting shops. One day last year, we were wandering through town and happened into a book store hidden almost in an alley way.

We were perusing the books, and I noticed a man who must have been in his 30's. He was obviously developmentally delayed and the cashier handed him some paper and crayons. He sat at a table off to the side and was drawing.

I walked over to him and began admiring his work. To me, art is always something that should be shared and encouraged. I spoke to him and learned his name is Paul. I watched Paul draw a few drawings and approach customers offering to sell his art to them. I asked if he would draw a picture for me. He did and I paid him. He also pointed out a framed piece of his art by the register for sale. I was so impressed by him, not because of the quality of his art (though his art is awesome), but by the fact that he was producing art, and that he was trying to make his way.

This world in which we live is so fast paced. We drive instead of walk. We eat fast food instead of preparing our own. And when we do prepare our own, it's usually convenience food-- from the freezer or a box. I am guilty of all of that. I also work a bajillion hours a week...

To slow down, and take a break from the outside world, I enjoy making stuff. I paint, I do woodwork, I make soap.

I absolutely love making bread. I refuse to use a breadmachine. It is my therapy. I thrive from punching down the dough, to kneading it til it's smooth. And there is nothing equalled to watching my loved ones' faces while they eat the bread fresh from the oven. I will write a blog about bread therapy soon.

I also love making jam. There is no better feeling to me than sweating in a hot kitchen over a water bath canner. And, as my personal homage to jam makers from long ago, I will only use local, fresh fruit in my jam-- preferably picked by me and family members. I am a purist in that sense. I love enjoying natures bounty. In Alaska, I made fireweed jelly. Here I make strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry, and marionberry. If I were to move back to Texas, I'm sure I would make jalapeno jelly.

I also love sewing and making homemade gifts (and gift baskets). I would love to return to a time when we actually appreciated the gifts of the Earth... and the gifts made with love. This summer I will teach my boys how to make jam. And we will make homemade gifts together to be placed in baskets and given at Christmas time. It is not about saving money, although I always strive to do that. It is about teaching values, and passing on lost art.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Please check out my blogs that I have on hubpages. It is an attempt to make money... but I only make money if you click on the ads along side my articles. So... click away... and leave me a comment if you would like... let me know what you think!

Friday, June 6, 2008

I had a long phone convo with Kev today... as well as GG. That teamed with reading my friend Geoff's blog has really inspired me. I urge you to read Geoff's writings... the link is in the bottom of my blog, just click on 'This side of Paradise'. I am so lucky to have kindred spirits along my creative journeys.

I've also been in contact with many members of my family lately. I got an email from my cousin, M the other day and she has a new baby. Congrats to M and Mr. M! My dad seems to be doing well, however I do know there are days that he overdoes it, since he went home from the hospital. Brothers are fine. Oldest sister is doing great and just spent her dad's birthday with him. Lynda... still absent from us, but always in our hearts.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

I am in a funk... perhaps it's the lack of creativity. Perhaps it's all the things going crappy in life. I don't seem to be meshing the different facets of my life. My job, my husband, my ex, my children, my art, my friends. It all seems to be pulling me in different directions, and it is turning out to be a bit too unpleasant. I read a poem once about riding the merry-go-round (life) and how the author just wanted to jump off. I'm right there right now.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

I have said before that we just moved into an apartment. We kind of like it there. Truthfully, I don't mind it at all. One big problem is that there is assigned parking... and only one assigned spot per apartment. So, since we have 3 vehicles, and I was the last one home last night, I had to go search for a visitor spot. I found a spot, in a parking area shared by our complex and a medical building. There was a big sign about how vehicles would get towed, etc... but only between the hours of 7am and 6:30pm, so I was fine.

This morning I went to get in my car and go to work and there was a man asleep in my back seat! I thought I had locked it up, but it's an old car and one of the back doors is tricky. I completely freaked... but calmly. I ran and got my husband and he woke the guy up. This guy was dressed nice and did not look homeless. He was very kind, just needed a place out of the rain last night. I feel for him... the times, they are a-changin'... but I will be parking in a different place and checking all my locks.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Ok, well I haven't been painting. Instead, I have been putting blogs on www.hubpages.com under the name "Renigma" check them out if you get a chance. I will return to painting, and possibly soon. In the meantime, creativity is still coursing through my veins.

The move should be complete soon, then I think I will feel more like painting. I have been talking with my dad daily. He seems to be doing very well. He is at home, but he is taking it easy. I am so enjoying visiting with him.